Vocabulary and Word Study
scaffolding tracker
skill: Synonyms
Lesson 6
Synonyms
student objectives
•Identify synonyms.
•Use synonyms in sentences.
Teach/Practice
Review/Reteach
Introduced in Stage B Teacher’s Edition, p. 130
Introduced in FLEX Teacher’s Edition, p. 134
Introduced in FLEX II Teacher’s Edition, p. 168
Teach/Model
Define Synonyms Tell students that synonyms are words that have the
same or similar meanings. For example, explain that colossal is one of many
words meaning “very large.”
Discuss why synonyms are important in reading and writing.
Additional Practice
appear/look
arrive/reach
before/prior
below/under
close/shut
demonstrate/show
error/mistake
forgive/excuse
frequent/often
grab/take
hold/grasp
idea/concept
injure/hurt
just/fair
mark/label
mean/cruel
need/require
overdue/late
pick/choose
•Explain that thinking of a familiar synonym for a new word can help readers
remember the new word.
•Writers use synonyms to avoid sounding repetitious. Point out that using
synonyms will help students to make their writing more interesting.
•Synonyms can show slight differences in meaning. The correct synonym helps
express ideas more precisely.
tHinK ALoud Many words that mean “very large” have different shades of
meaning. Some words describe things that are especially large. Enormous
and huge mean “much larger than usual.” They are often used
interchangeably. Something colossal (a word from the Greek for very large
statues in Egypt) is larger than something enormous. It can also mean “very
great.” Mammoth, gigantic, and gargantuan describe the largest objects of
all. I’ll keep these differences in mind when I use words to describe size.
Guided Practice/Apply
Identify Synonyms Have students suggest synonyms for the word little.
They may use a thesaurus, if available. Help them to place the words in size order
on a linear array such as the following:
▲
microscopic
▲
tiny
▲
little
teeny
small
minute
petite
miniature
Call on volunteers to use each synonym in a sentence. Then challenge students
to create a “gargantuan” linear array containing words from microscopic through
average to colossal.
To reinforce the skill, distribute Practice, page 283.
Resource Links
1 RDI Book 1: p. 282
282
READ 180 Reading Skills and Strategies
SAM Keyword: Synonym